have it your way, have it your way

[havethings]

Comments

[polydeukes]

[Josie did make an effort to try and keep Lizzie from skipping out on lunch entirely. Yes, true, it's just Aunt Bonnie, but due to her traveling, they don't get to see Aunt Bonnie all that often. But, when Lizzie's set her mind to something, she doesn't want to be persuaded, so in the end, Josie let's it go and gives her her space.]

I think she just needed a break. Hanging out with all of us has been a lot and while the guys are great, I think she just wanted to do some exploring on her own. Enjoy being somewhere where no one knows her name, you know?

[moralitypolice]

( Lizzie would amend 'all that often' to 'never,' but Lizzie has never been the sweeter twin. (They both have their sour sides.) But, Bonnie doesn't take it personally. For her, this has become a reunion of niece and uncle, not that Josie is not her niece. But, everything with Bela and Dean's grudge still lingers. Bonnie still made her choice.

"Besides Lizzie, Josie, and me, it's a little bro-y." )

And here I thought you had a diverse student population.

( "And then junior year, we lost most of our students. Plus, we weren't going to come here with our entire senior class," Hope adds, holding the seat out for her girlfriend. )

[polydeukes]

To be fair, the boys are pretty diverse.

[None of them are white, save for Jack, and Josie isn't even sure if Jack counts given the Nephilim of it all. But she goes over to take that seat and settles in across from her aunt.]

They're good guys, don't get us wrong. They're just ... guys.

[In the best and worst possible terms.]

[moralitypolice]

( The girls were, on and off, but now isn't the type to be the white girl telling Bonnie that, oh yes, they had diverse women, too! )

I remember guys. Did you ever meet my friend, Tyler? Or, here about our friend, Matt? Guys. Just. Guys. Aunt Elena's brother Jeremy? Totally a guy.

[polydeukes]

[Josie laughs, before shaking her head.]

Yeah, we know. The problem of being guys isn't really one they can solve.

[And they probably wouldn't be as charming if they did. Fortunately, none of the ladies present are dating them. Which, naturally triggers the next important question that Aunt Caroline impressed upon her to ask.]

But speaking of guys ...

[moralitypolice]

Some rise above it. Yes, they're guys, but, they... aren't. And that doesn't make sense.

( She laughs, taking a drink from her water. Speaking of what now? )

We are.

[polydeukes]

Aunt Caroline seems to think that I might get further with you about your mysterious European life than she did.

[Josie's just going to come out and say it. She's not going to waste time beating around the bush.]

She seems to believe you're having a sexy European fling and refusing to tell her about it.

[moralitypolice]

( Well, that was honest. )

What I'm doing is protecting the heir to an ancient Celtic coven, but you can tell Aunt Caroline she can ask me directly. You've heard about the slayers?

[polydeukes]

[Josie nods because the word is familiar.]

Stefan's friend Buffy is one, right?

[And yes, she knows they're friends not friends but that's not relevant to this conversation.]

[moralitypolice]

Stefan's - yeah. She is. And, a family friend and I, Danny, we were in Scotland. I was not seeing someone, I was in a castle of women. Well, and Xander, but he doesn't count as a man.

( He would love that. (Read: would not love that.) )

If I were seeing someone, then I'd tell her. But, you should ask her about Ryan.

[polydeukes]

Oh, I already know about Ryan.

[She has eyes, like the rest of Caroline's friends.]

When we were leaving she was getting ready to take him on a state fair date.

[moralitypolice]

How do you know this and I don't know this?

( Excuse her rudeness as she pulls her phone from her bag. She group texts Elena and Caroline Our state fair is a great state fair. Don't miss it, don't even tell me about Ryan?

Maybe Elena has also been left out of the loop. Maybe not. But, she's feeling sassy.

To be fair, none of you are ever subtle about your romances. And it is Mystic Falls.

Thanks, Hope. )

I'd think you guys would have better things to do than track what the adults are doing.

[polydeukes]

We just want you guys to be happy.

[Because when you're happy they can get away with more stuff under your noses. A beat.]

It seems like Aunt Caroline and Elena are getting there, clearly you are next to set our sights on.

[She's teasing. Mostly. She's currently eyeing Dean Winchester skeptically as he's Suspicious, but Elena seems happy, so she's not questioning it too much.]

You haven't had one romantic European fling?

[moralitypolice]

( Exactly what she thinks, as she doesn't respond to that, or even scoff. But, she would. )

That's not exactly the kind of conversation I should be having with you, too.

( Wait, Dr. Gilbert's getting where? )

[polydeukes]

[She told you about it at brunch, briefly. Or more to the point, she mentioned it and then eagerly tried to deflect onto Caroline.

But Josie shrugs.]

It's just nice to see you guys happy. I know you went through a lot when you were younger.

[Some of that adjacent to the man who's just walked into the restaurant, Bela in tow. Also technically adjacent to her girlfriend, but she's not going to go there.]

[moralitypolice]

( Right, that's - right. As people do. )

That doesn't end. It hasn't suddenly gotten easier, just... more infrequent. I love that you're invested, but maybe keep your eyes in your own vacation?

( This moment interrupted by, Bela and Elijah. )

Hope, you know your uncle Elijah, and girls, this is Bela. She's a friend.

[enjoythe_ride]

Hello, ladies.

[Bela offers a smile as she moves to sit with them. It's been a long time since she and Hope have seen each other, but this is much better circumstances than the last time.]

Congratulations to you both. I've been told you both worked very hard.

[moralitypolice]

( We've met. It's still a sore subject for Hope, and a sore time in her life that Elijah speaks up, reinforcing how he feels, too.

Graduating from high school is a feat. You should both be proud. Hope does pull him in for hug, because friendships have taught her that the family she has does matter.

Apparently, Bela is still in the picture.

How... are you, Bela?

She can be nice!

Bonnie just sits back, taking a drink from her wine. )

[enjoythe_ride]

[Yes, she is. And she's used to Hope's perfunctory politeness at this point. One day she might grow on the younger witch, but for now, she's welcome to play the role of unwanted somewhat-aunt.]

I've been well. How have you two been enjoying Prague?

["It's such a cool city." Josie's happy to fill in the blanks so Hope doesn't have to talk. "We're probably going to do some more exploring after lunch."]

[vampireboulevard]

I told you about Ryan! I distinctly remember Ryan being a topic of brunch conversation.

[A pause.]

Who told you about the state fair?

[moralitypolice]

Josie Saltzman.

So, this is a date? A first date situation?

[vampireboulevard]

I swear, she's worse at keeping secrets than I am.

[Not that Ryan was a secret, exactly, but way to put her in the hot spot, Jojo.]

But yes, it is an official date with only a minor chance of havoc being wreaked by a baby vampire.

[moralitypolice]

Unless it involves the darkest of magics and an imposter headmaster.

Is that what we're calling him? Your baby vampire?

[vampireboulevard]

What? No. NO. Ryan is not a baby vampire.

I was talking about Stiles.

[moralitypolice]

Just making sure. I didn't want to have to worry about power dynamics. With the #metoo movement and all